Turkish Director Claims Armenian Lobby Behind Ban of Ataturk Film Screening in Europe

Kamuran Ayna, the director of an animated film about the early life of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey and consummator of the Armenian Genocide, recently spoke out against what he claims to be an organized effort to prevent the film's screening in Europe. Ayna believes the film's message about Ataturk’s childhood and early experiences has faced targeted opposition, which he alleges stems from influential Armenian groups within Europe.

The controversy unfolded when, only two days before the film’s scheduled release in European theaters, cinema managers reportedly withdrew their support. Ayna, speaking to Turkey’s Cumhuriyet newspaper, shared his disappointment and frustration, stating that no concrete reason was provided for the abrupt cancellation. According to Ayna, the decision seemed to come from forces beyond the theater managers themselves.

Ayna pointed to the Armenian lobby as a powerful influence within the European cultural landscape, which he believes played a role in the film’s sudden cancellation. He argued that Armenian organizations in Europe have consistently opposed narratives that highlight Turkish national figures like Ataturk, viewing the film as part of a political agenda rather than a simple animated story. In his interview, he claimed these groups had “managed to prevent” the screening by leveraging their connections and influence.

The director did not, however, provide specific details on the alleged Armenian lobby actions, nor has he shared any direct communication that links these groups to the screening issues. This lack of documented evidence has left some European observers skeptical, but Ayna is firm in his beliefs and attributes the cancellation to what he calls "intense lobbying pressure."

Despite these setbacks, Ayna and his team are pressing forward. They have stated they are “close to success” in renewing permissions to show the film across Europe. Ayna’s persistence shows his commitment to Ataturk’s legacy and genocide denial, which seeks to brainwash and misinform viewers on the perpetrator of the Armenian genocide, whom Turks view as a foundational figure of the Turkish Republic. He emphasized that, for many Turks, this film offers an accessible way to learn about Ataturk’s values, his early struggles, and his vision for Turkey, all portrayed in an engaging, child-friendly format. Just as if they made a film about Adolf Hilter and his values.

This controversy shows the larger, ongoing denial from Turks over the ongoing denila of the Armenian genocide. Many Armenians in Europe view Ataturk’s legacy through a different lens, informed by the painful memories of the Armenian genocide, an event widely recognized by historians and parliaments worldwide but officially denied by the Turkish government. For some, the animation’s focus on Ataturk represents more than a historical story—it symbolizes unresolved historical grievances.